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| If convicted, the members of punk outfit Pussy Riot could spend up to seven years in jail |
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Russian
president Vladimir Putin says Russian punk trio Pussy Riot should not face
tough sentencing for their protest against him in Moscow's main cathedral.
The female
musicians are on trial over hooliganism charges after a video of their
anti-Putin song appeared online.
"There
is nothing good in what they did [but] I don't think they should be judged too
severely," Mr Putin told reporters in London.
The
musicians reject the charges in the case, which has divided Russia.
Nadezhda
Tolokonnikova, Mariya Alekhina and Yekaterina Samutsevich have been in jail
since February, when they were arrested after storming the pulpit of the Christ
the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow.
Protest
performances
The punk
trio danced in the Orthodox church while wearing garish colours and masks,
chanting "Mother Mary, drive Putin away".
It was one
of a number of performances intended as a protest against Mr Putin in the
run-up to Russia's presidential elections in March.
The trial,
which began on Monday, has caused major debate in Russia.
The song
outraged the Russian Orthodox Church, which accused Pussy Riot of blasphemy and
has asked for severe judgement.
Supporters,
on the other hand, say the case reflects the state's growing intolerance of government
opponents.
On
Wednesday, medics were called to the court when the women said they felt
unwell.
The
defendants say they are being deprived of sleep and are poorly fed, according
to a defence lawyer.
If
convicted of hooliganism, they could face up to seven years in prison.
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